The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1887-06-23

grew strangely chill
From that day, which saw the be-
ginning of an acquaintance between
the four young people, there were no
more sighings on the part Of May for
the town and its gaieties, no more
yawning on the part of Jack; for a
merrier fortnight never sped than
that which followed, and it was with
sincere regret that May learned at
last that her brother would come for
her in a few days, to bear her back,
plump and healthy, to her city
home.
And my holiday ends the day after
tomorrow" Jack said to her ruefully,
when she told him. Haven't ever
been so happy in my life. We must
all meet here next summer, May.
Lets arrange it."
He did not see the shiver that shot
over his aftianced at these words.
I'm arrange nothing of the sort"
she said, impatiently. Now let us 90
over and get Inez to ramble with US
for an hour or two"
And her brother" Jack put in
with his usual alacrity. "Uncom-
monty nice fellow, isn't hep"
But May gave no reply. She walk
ed beside her betrothed in grave and
unbrOken silence, a strange new shad-
ow in her blue eyes.
They generally found Inez and Lilo
mel under the branches of that great
chestnut at this hour; but to-day they
found silence and shade there-nOth-
ing else. The handsome young gem
tleman and his pretty sister were not
idling under the broad branches, as
usual.
Wonder what's up?" Jack asked.
But just then merry hail from
distant clump of trees made Mays
face dimple roguishly.
"See! There is Inez standing under
that big oak, and her brother is in the
tree away near the top. He is waving
his hand to us"
SO he was. Far up among the
leaves, where he had climbed, Lionel
was swaying with the slight branches,
and leaning forward to attract their
attention; the sunlight lying warm and
soft on his laughing powerful face,
which was as rich an olive as though
Spain claimed him for her son.
How handsome he is! How prince
lyr' May thought, with sharp pang
at her heart. In this whole world
there is nobody like himr'
Then there was the crashing sound
of breaking branches-a rustling,
rushing noise, the dull thud Of a body
striking on the earth, and from the
lips Of two girls who saw Lionel Bra
bos fall with stunning force, rang the
wild cries of anguished alright, of
fierce, Oyermastering terror.
\ moment later and Inez-who had
flung herself on her knees beside the
strangely-still figure of her idolized
brother-was pushed aside by hands
that were too strong and untender to
her, through the frantic emotion of
their owner, and May Carol, the
promised wife of Jack Hammond, the
belle of a hundred bathrooms, was
kneeling over Lionel Brabos, blanch-
ed agony on her young face, which
comes only on the faces of women
when what is more dear to them than
life is in peril.
'sOh, heis not dead! Jack, tell me
he is not dead" she cried, never re-
moving her eyes from the still uncon-
scious face that lay upturned before
her
And Jack, with brotherly kindness,
laid his hand on her shoulder.
Il trust not, for your sake, DEAR"
he said; and there was ouIy tender
sympathy in his voice-none of the
lovers resentment or sorrow.
At that moment the dark eyes of
Lionel unclOsed with slow and Ian
guild weariness, and fixed themselves
on the face of the girl who knelt be-
side hIm.
A strange new light stole into them
as he looked, then tenderness and love
untold met the blue eyes above.
My dearest, have | alarmed you?
l was stunned. 1t is nothing" he
whispered, then, softly, as his hand
stole up and pressed hers. You care
enough for me to pale like that? My
darling-darling"
Jack, who had heard every word.
turned to Inez, and took her trembling
hand in his.
Your brotheris not injured by his
fall, he said gently. They do not
want us. VIII you come with me to
the spot where | first saw you-the
shadow of the big chestnut-and let
me tell you something? l have much
to say to you, Miss Brabos."
But, said IneZ, with a startled
glance toward the others, who had
forgotten all things save themselves
and the love which had found voice at
last-"but | thought Miss Carol was
to be your wife; l thought she loved
you"
And that | loved her? SO did |;
but now both May and | know other
wise. She knew, the very first time
she saw your brother; | knew-oh,
Inez, | knew later!-when | had heard
your yoice-and it had seemed the
sweetest music in the world to me.
Nay; they do not want us, and | want
you, my beautiful child. Come with
me, and let me tell youof my love, so
passionate and strong-my deep and
lasting love for you"
She looked to where May knelt, still
under the maple, with Lionel seated
beside her, pale it is true, but with
loye-ight glorifying his handsome
face, the hands of the city belle held
fast In both of his; and her dainty
young cheeks flushed, as she cast down
her eyes and extended her pretty hand
TO Jack.
And So it came to pass that the two
who thought they had brought love
with them, found it there, waiting for
them, under The broad branches of the
old chestnut-tree.
May makes model farmers wife
at least so Lionel asserts; and Inez.
III her city home, is so sweet a hostess
and so fair a tireside figure that Jack
lazily advises his bachelor friends to
90 counting to the most quiet part of
the country, and they vow they will
do so.
Gov. Bartlett, of California. during
a recent official visit to Red Bluff. was
waited upon by delegation of fifty
young ladies, each of whom gave him
a bouquet and kiss. The local chron-